Putting together a Curriculum Vitae

							Putting together a Curriculum Vitae

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................................

HINTS ON GOOD CV WRITING ..................................................................................................................................................

PUTTING IT DOWN ON PAPER...................................................................................................................................................

SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................................................................................

APPENDICES..................................................................................................................................................................................
INTRODUCTION
The Curriculum Vitae will not get you a job. It is the interview which provides you with that opportunity.
But a good CV will:-

•    Influence whether or not you are granted an interview
•    Help you focus on your strengths and achievements
•    Provide prospective employers with a clear statement of what you have to offer
•    Give you an outline script to develop a clear interview strategy

There are many opinions on how a CV should be written. In our view there are no absolute answers but
there are definitely 'good practice' pointers which you should take account of.


HINTS ON GOOD CV WRITING
Do

•    Clearly state contact details including home and business telephone numbers (if appropriate).
•    Include qualifications and educational background - highest level attained first. No need to list all
     examinations. Also include memberships of Professional Institutions, CIPD status etc.
•    Use capital letters, bold printing or different fonts to highlight different sections. Do not use overly
     fancy fonts. Leave ‘white space’ around each item - this makes it easier to read. Avoid underlining.
•    Make sure the CV is well set out and readable.
•    Use a point system or bullet points wherever possible instead of writing a ‘story’.
•      Use action verbs, e.g. accomplished, created, instigated, negotiated. Express achievements clearly
       and concisely.
•    In the Employment History section, make sure you describe your most recent job first and then go
     backwards chronologically. Allow success in each job to come out.
•    Aim to make the CV no longer than two to three pages; interest from the reader may diminish after
     two pages.
•    Languages: if competent indicate level and whether written and/or oral.
•    Computer Literacy: state skills clearly.
•    Training Courses: include those which have provided you with new skills or informed you of
     important professional developments.
•    Check the CV very carefully for spelling, grammar, punctuation or typographical errors. Do not just
     rely on spellcheck.
•    Always send a covering letter with your CV, ensuring that it has been amended and is relevant to the
     role you are applying for.

Do Not
•   Write “Curriculum Vitae” as a heading - everyone knows what it is.
•   Use "I" - or keep its use to a minimum.
•   Use slang.
•   Include details on religion or political affiliation.
•   Include salary on your CV - keep this for your covering letter.
•   Automatically include reasons for leaving – consider whether it is relevant.
•   Include personal views about your role, job or industry.
•   Attach photos (unless specifically asked for).
•   Detail every single training course you have attended.
•   Use jargon or letter abbreviations.

PUTTING IT DOWN ON PAPER
You could start by pulling together a list of personal, educational and work experiences including:-

•   An outline of experience to date and how this might be of value to prospective clients/organisations.
•   Achievements and benefits you have brought to employers.
•   Educational qualifications.
•   Training undertaken.

It is from this that you can then start to produce your own CV in your own style.


Different CV Formats
There are two main formats you can use when writing a CV:

•   The Chronological CV Format

This is the most common style of CV and is particularly appropriate where the CV is being used to obtain
an interview for a job similar to previous ones. An example layout is attached.

•   The Functional Format

For those looking to change direction in their career or wanting to emphasise the range of competencies
accumulated perhaps with one/two employers over a long period of time, such a format may be more
appropriate. This is also useful for Interim professionals who have gained experience with many different
organisations. An example layout is attached.
Good Strong Action Words
Every word counts on your CV. When describing your achievements, therefore, try using strong action
words which can convey in one word the potency of your experience and its implications for the future. In
the Appendix there is a Thesaurus which may be helpful.


Avoid Clichés
Some words and phrases are dreadfully overused and appear on so many CVs. It is worth remembering
that a cliché will make you sound like one of the crowd rather than special or different.


Past Employers
Do not assume the reader will always know who they are or what they do. If a division, unit or subsidiary
of a larger enterprise, explain this. Keep these explanations short.


A Profile Or Not
Some people think it is helpful to employers if at the beginning of the CV you provide a succinct profile
outlining how you see yourself, your particular strengths, and what you feel you have to offer. Some
people claim they hate these profiles. We would suggest that a written profile is optional, but you should
have brief descriptive statements in your head to be used when asked about yourself.

A well-written profile may gain the attention of a prospective employer and provide the much-needed
encouragement to read on. Try to make it very brief and striking without sounding aggressive or arrogant.

Often you will find it easier to write such a profile once you have written the first draft of your CV.
Certainly any exercises you have completed which have highlighted your strengths or your Unique
Selling Points may well give you an idea on how to write your profile.

Consider these examples.

•   A results-driven HR professional, with broad-based financial services and commercial experience.
    Key areas of expertise are Resourcing, Management Development and Organisational Change. An
    engaging leader with a natural and fluent communication and influencing style.

•   An HR Manager with wide ranging generalist experience operating at senior management level within
    a fast paced and challenging business area. Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
    Proven leadership skills involving managing, developing and motivating teams to achieve their
    objectives. Excellent analytical, problem solving and computer skills.

Prepare a profile in the style that suits you. Facts not opinions will reveal your strengths. Avoid a string
of adjectives that cannot be evaluated.
Selling Yourself
Include in your CV those strong achievements and the key experience which could be really useful to a
prospective employer. Think about providing information which show you fit the key competencies that
hiring organisations desire and show your competitive advantage.

Look through your achievements and your experience and identify those which are particularly relevant,
which give you a competitive edge over others and which illustrate the contribution you can make in the
future. For instance "reduced spend in recruitment" says little whereas "reduced spend in recruitment by
£50,000 representing a 25% saving" says far more.

Use interesting language rather than stereotyped jargon, words that will catch the eye and therefore the
interest of the reader.


Interests/Activities
These are optional for inclusion. If you are including them, remember the following:

        - do not claim a hobby or interest that is untrue
        - avoid contentious interests
        - think about the reader's reaction
        -
The ‘So What?’ Test
Look carefully at all the achievements and experiences you have listed. Ask yourself the question "So
what?" to each of these. Ask yourself whether you have made clear the benefit brought to the organisation
by the achievement you have stated. Make sure that each of the points you have made is actually worth
making.

Your CV may receive less than 30 seconds of attention at first glance if it is a speculative application.

When you have refined your first draft and applied the "So What?" tests of benefits then re-write your
curriculum vitae incorporating the changes. By now you should be much more certain of the thrust of
your application and have a sharp focus on what it is that you have to offer.

The second draft is probably a good time to show your curriculum vitae to someone whose judgement
you respect. They are often in the best position to spot spelling and grammatical errors and may even
notice some key aspects of your work that you have missed. Most of all they will recognise if your CV
accurately reflects you. Listen to their opinions and any professional advice available. HRi would be
happy to act as a sounding board. In the light of these comments, prepare your third draft. This will be
nearer to the finished article, but always be prepared to make changes. A good curriculum vitae is always
flexible and must be adapted to suit the varying needs of the market place.
SUMMARY
The main guidelines for preparing your curriculum vitae are as follows: -

•   Reflect yourself positively throughout the CV.

•   Find a sharp and positive way to describe you and what you have to offer.

•   Focus on achievements and skills.

•   Quantify the benefits your achievements brought to the organisation. Use action words to describe
    positive achievements.

•   Never include statements that cannot be substantiated at interview.

•   Keep sentences short and to the point.

•   Provide a clear layout with attention to detail.

•   A CV must be reader friendly, easily understood and pleasing to the eye.

•   Avoid jargon and non-standard abbreviations.

•   Do not use clichés - recognise the over-used words found in so many CVs.

•   Make sure everything is relevant and avoid clutter.

•   Address what the prospective employer wants. Think of their needs not yours.

•   When replying to a specific job advertisement or to a particular company, ensure your CV reflects
    your knowledge and awareness of the needs of the post/company. Always make sure you send a
    covering letter with your CV.
                                             Candidate Name


Personal Profile

Aim to keep this to a paragraph (four or five lines). This will be almost the first thing a client reads about
you.        Typically candidates use the profile to summarise their strengths/personal
characteristics/professional qualification/key skills/aspirations. You can tailor your comments according
to the type of role you are seeking.


Career History

Job Title: Imaginary Company Limited                                Dates

Use the suggested outline below for your most recent and/or relevant jobs - summarise all other
temporary, part time, pre-graduation or non relevant jobs. Try to demonstrate career progression and
avoid leaving gaps in the chronological sequence.

Write a short paragraph outlining what the company does, approximate size or no’s of employees
supported and any other relevant company info that puts in context the role that you carried out


Key Responsibilities or Key Achievements

   Use bullet points to outline the major responsibilities or key achievements, using active words such as
   initiated, developed, improved. Try to avoid “responsible for” without elaborating on exactly the
   level or nature of responsibility. If possible include successful achievements or outcomes




Repeat this style for all positions that are relevant to the role you are seeking, or at least the last
two/three roles you have held.
Career Summary

Use this summary style for previous or non relevant jobs)

Job Title: Imaginary Company Limited                              Dates

Give a couple of lines to summarise the job




Education

University Name                  Degree and result
Dates attended                   Details of any final year project or dissertation

College Name                     A-Levels: Names of subjects only
Dates attended

School Name                      Number of GCSE or O levels
Dates attended


Ongoing Career Development or Courses


College/Company Name             Title of course
Date attended                    Summary of course or type of development/study and
                                 knowledge/skills acquired
                                 Include level of CIPD membership as appropriate


Interests (optional)


Also include whether a car driver, whether licence clean and any other relevant info


Personal Details


 Address:                                       Telephone:
                                                e-mail:
                            EXAMPLE OF FUNCTIONAL CV FORMAT


Name
Address
Telephone No


PROFILE

(Optional) A brief summary of your unique experience and what you have to offer.


CAREER SUMMARY

List in reverse chronological order the company, job title and dates. Do not expand.

•
•
•
•


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Choose five areas of practice which relate to the job/role you are trying to acquire. Make these into sub-
headings e.g. Resourcing, Performance Management, Reward etc.

List your achievements stating your objective and the outcome or benefit under the appropriate sub-
heading. You may wish to start this by saying "At XYZ Company developed new etc. Where possible
quantify the outcomes.

List the most recent experiences/assignments first.


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

CIPD status


TRAINING

Highlight most recent and relevant.




COMPUTER LITERACY
Include software and level of proficiency.


EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Reverse chronological order
Name of school/college/university and dates
Itemise 'A' or GCSE/'O' level subjects only if relevant


PERSONAL DETAILS

Date of birth (optional)
Marital status (optional)
Nationality (optional)
Interests (optional)
APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1

THESAURUS

ARRANGED       BEGAN         CHANGED         IMPLEMENTED
PLANNED        STARTED       ALTERED
administered   built         altered         conducted
arranged       conceived     changed         demonstrated
assembled      constructed   combined        effected
centralised    created       converted       enacted
compiled       devised       diversified     enforced
composed       established   modernised      executed
co-ordinated   founded       modified        formed
deployed       generated     re-arranged     formulated
designed       initiated     re-deployed     implemented
developed      inspired      re-designed     negotiated
dismantled     installed     re-directed     operated
engineered     instigated    re-organised    performed
mounted        instituted    replaced        presented
organised      introduced    re-structured   processed
planned        invented      shaped          produced
positioned     launched      simplified      provided
prepared       originated    streamlined     represented
programmed     piloted       tightened       serviced
proposed       pioneered     transferred     undertook
scheduled      rejuvenated   transformed     utilised
structured     renewed       unified
               set up        united
               started       vitalised


IMPROVED       INCREASED     LESSENED        MAINTAINED
               MADE BIGGER   MADE SMALLER
corrected      accelerated   decreased       consolidated
enhanced       augmented     halved
improved       broadened     lessened
optimised      doubled       lightened
rectified      enlarged      lowered
refined        exceeded      minimised
remedied       expanded      mitigated
repaired       expedited     reduced
rescued        extended      shortened
resolved       heightened    trimmed
restored       increased
IMPROVED         INCREASED
                 MADE BIGGER
revised          lengthened
revived          maximised
re-vitalised     strengthened
revolutionised   surpassed
saved            tripled
solved           widened
transformed
unravelled



MANAGED          OBTAINED       PREVENTED     RESEARCHED
CONTROLLED       USED           ENDED         STUDIED
controlled       accrued        anticipated   analysed
directed         accumulated    averted       appraised
headed           acquired       avoided       assessed
instructed       bought         completed     audited
led              captured       diverted      calculated
managed          collected      eliminated    checked
ordered          employed       ended         collated
piloted          hired          eradicated    defined
presided         interviewed    evaded        discovered
regulated        obtained       finished      estimated
steered          purchased      forestalled   evaluated
superintended    recruited      halted        examined
supervised       retained       liquidated    highlighted
taught           secured        prevented     identified
trained          utilised       rejected      inspected
                                stemmed       investigated
                                stopped       monitored
                                terminated    probed
                                              proved
                                              researched
                                              reviewed
                                              revised
                                              studied
                                              surveyed
                                              tested
                                              traced
                                              uncovered
                                              verified
SUCCEEDED      SUGGESTED     URGED        WROTE
ACHIEVED       ADVISED
accomplished   advised       encouraged   documented
achieved       approved      inspired     drafted
attained       counselled    motivated    edited
completed      forecast      spurred      interpreted
ensured        guided        stimulated   outlined
negotiated     judged        taught       publicised
overcame       liaised       trained      published
saved          prescribed    urged        re-vamped
secured        promoted                   revised
succeeded      proposed                   translated
surpassed      recommended                wrote
traded         selected
won            specified
               suggested
STRONG ACTION WORDS
accelerated    devised       instituted     published        suggested
accomplished   directed      instructed     purchased        supervised
accrued        discovered    interpreted    rearranged       supported
accumulated    dismantled    invented       recommended      surpassed
achieved       diversified   investigated   recruited        surveyed
acquired       diverted      judged         rectified        taught
administered   documented    launched       redesigned       tested
advised        doubled       led            redirected       tightened
altered        drafted       lengthened     reduced          traced
analysed       edited        lessened       refined          traded
anticipated    effected      liaised        regulated        transferred
appointed      eliminated    lightened      reinforced       transformed
appraised      employed      liquidated     rejuvenated      translated
approved       enacted       lowered        related          travelled
arranged       encouraged    maintained     remedied         trimmed
assembled      ended         managed        repaired         tripled
assessed       enforced      marketed       replaced         uncovered
attained       engineered    maximised      represented      undertook
audited        enhanced      minimised      resolved         unified
augmented      enlarged      mitigated      restored         united
averted        ensured       modernised     restructured     unravelled
avoided        eradicated    modified       retained         urged
bought         established   monitored      revamped         utilised
broadened      estimated     motivated      reviewed         verified
budgeted       evaded        mounted        revised          visited
built          evaluated     negotiated     revitalised      vitalised
calculated     exceeded      obtained       revived          widened
captured       executed      operated       revolutionised   won
centralised    expanded      optimised      saved            wrote
changed        expedited     ordered        scheduled
checked        extended      organised      secured
collated       extracted     originated     selected
collected      finished      outlined       serviced
combined       forecast      overcame       set up
compiled       forestalled   performed      settled
completed      formed        piloted        shaped
composed       formulated    pioneered      shortened
conceived      founded       planned        simplified
conducted      generated     positioned     sold
consolidated   guided        prepared       solved
constructed    halved        prescribed     specified
controlled     headed        presented      spurred
converted      heightened    presided       stabilised
co-ordinated   highlighted   prevented      staffed
corrected      hired         probed         standardised
counselled     identified    processed      started
created        implemented   procured       stemmed
decreased      improved      produced       stimulated
defined        increased     programmed     stopped
demonstrated   initiated     promoted       streamlined
designed       inspected     proposed       strengthened
despatched     inspired      proved         structured
determined     installed     provided       studied
developed      instigated    publicised     succeeded